Firing mechanism for breech-loading ordnance.



m. 679,ll4.

v Patented July 23, I90I.

L. L. BRIGGS. FIRING MECHANISM FOR BBEEGH LOADING ORDNANCE. (Application filed Dec. 9, 1899. Renewed Feb. 12, 1901.) 1 W0 Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet I.

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No. 679,ll4. Patented July 23, I90l.

- L. L. BRIGGS.

FIRING MECHANISM FOR BREECH LOADING ORDNANCE. (Application filed Dec. 9, 1899. Renewed Feb. 12, 1901.) g N 0 M 0 d e l) I 4 Sheets Sheet E 31 l lg" Patented m 23, I901.

, L.. L. BRIGGS. FIRING MECHANISM FOR BBEECH LOADING URDNANC E.

(Application filed Dec. 9, 1899. RenewedF No Model.) I

No. s79,||4. Pate nted Iuly 23, mm.

L. L. amass;

FIRING MECHANISM FOR BREEGII LOADING ORDNANCE.

.v (Application filed Dec. 9, 1899. Renewed Feb. 12, 1901.) (M0 lluu el.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

" FIG.

NITED LOUIS L. DRIGGS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO \VILLIAM H. BRIGGS, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

srncmrcnrrxon formingpart of Letters Patent no. 679,1 14, dated July as, 1901.

Application filed December 9, 1899. Renewed February 12, 1901. Serial No. 47,049. (No modelwill enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the-same.-

My invention relates to improvements in firing mechanism for use in breech loading ordnance; and it consists of a certain form of pull-01f or self-cocking mechanism, which will be understood by reference to the'accompanying drawings, inwhich the same parts are indicated by Ll same letters throughout the several views. 1

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation showing the gun-breech and firing mechanism, the latter being in the normal or half-cocked position. Fig. 2 represents an interior view of the a hinged carrier on which the breech-block is 2 5 mounted, but with the breech-block removed therefrom. Fig. 3 represents a section along theline 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail view showing the other side of the firing mechanism and a part only of the breech- 3o block. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the firing mechanism detached from the breech-block. Fig. 6 is an end view of the firing mechanism, partly in section, along the line 6 6 of Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a side eleyation'of the firing-lever 5 and cocking-arm as detached from the mechanism and as seen from the left in Fig. 6. Figs. 8 and 9 are detail views of the pivoted catch carried bythe firing-pin. Fig. 10shows a modification of the device shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 11 is a view of the reverse side of the device shown in Fig. 10; and Figs. 12, 1 3, and 14 are detail views of part of the apparatus shown in Figs. 10 and 11, Fig. 12 being partly in section along the line 12 12' of Fig. 11. Figs. 15 and 16 are detail views of the rear end of the firing-pin and the fi ing-lever, showing modifications in which the pivoted latches are dispensed with and simple spring-latches are used in place thereof.

The device shown in Figs. 1 and 9 contains many of the features shown in Figs. 10 to 14',

and the difierences will be pointedout in due course; but we will first describe the preferred form of the deviceshown in the earlier figures and will then point out the diiferences '55 shown in the modification.

The gun and hinged carrier shown in Fig. l is that patented to Charles H.-Tompkins by Patent No. 628,870, granted July 11, 1899; but I do not mean to con ne myself to any particular form of gun, the inventionbeing applicable to most of the varieties of breechloading cannon now in use.

A represents the gun-body, B the breechblock, and C the hinged carrier, hinged to the side'of the breech of the gun on the hingepin D. I

X represents-a r carrier, in which the rearscrew-threads of the breech-block engage, as described in thepatcut to Tompkinsaforesaid; but this ringis be omitted, if desired. The hinged carrier is preferably recessed, as at C and 0 and pen forated, as at c", the perforation cTand the recess 0 being to receive the Ian yard R and the firing-lever P, while the recess C registers with the arm P integral with the firing-lever Rwhich arm passes into this recess only when the breech-block is in the closed and locked position. The breech-block is also perforated, as at C, with a. winged slot 0 or keyway to permit the passage therethrough of the firing-- pin H and its guide-lug- H E represents the hand-lever for operating the breech-block, which is pivoted by. means of the pin e to the lugs c onthe hinged car'- I rier C, and the operation of this lever is as in the patent aforesaid; but this also is not a part of the present invention and will not be Turther discussed herein. Moreover, any

other preferred form of device for looking or unlocking the block may be adopted, it desired. V p i F represents a sle'e ve screwed into the block and holding between its inner head and the" ring L the end-k of the firing-spring K, the oppgsite end of which spring is attached to the firing-pin H, as shown in Figs. 1 and 5.. The firing-pin is provided with the usual point h, and the head .H' is grooved, as at It, to permit the escape of gas rearward in case of ing secured to the hinged not a part of the present invention and may v i projecting rearward and laterally from the sleeve F, and the firing-lever and cockingtoe are normally pressedtoward the sleeve F by means of the coils-prin Q, surrounding the said pin N andfitting in a cylindrical recess in the heel of the firing-lever. This firing-lever is held on the pin- N against accidental displacement by means of a bayonetjoint arrangement consisting of an annular slot 12 with an opening 12 leading thereto, through which opening passes the stud n on the pin N, which stud projects into the annular groove 19 as shown in Fig. 6. The cocking-toe P is either integral with or rigidly attached to the firing-lever P and terminates in a poi ntp', adapted to engage the catch m of the latch M, which latch is pivoted, as at M, on the lug H projecting from the firing-pin H A stop-lug m projects from the latch M into the recess p in the firing-1ever P, and the firing-lever in returning to the initial position'shown in Figs. 1 and 4 en.- gages this lug m and restores the latch M to the engaging position shown in Figs. 4 and 7. The latch-M is provided with a lug m, projecting across the firingrpin, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, and this lug brings up against the front face of the arm H when the cocking-toe presses the latch backward, and thus causes the firing-pin to move back with it. On the return to the initial position the cocking-toe swings the latch forward about its pivot and passes in front of the catch m".

The firing-lanyard R is attached to the eye 12. The firing-pin also may be cocked by hand, as by a hook engaging in the eye h provided for this purpose.

In order to lock the sleeve F in the proper position in the breech-block, I provide a spring locking attachmentconsisting of a spring S, secured to the sleeve F, and am S, having a boss at its point adapted to project into a groove partly in the breech-block and partly in the arm F of the sleeve F when the said sleeve is in the proper position. This stop S is preferably provided with a milled head, so that it maybe readily withdrawn in case it is desired to substitute a new firing mechanism, as either in drilling or in case of accident. I

The operation of the'device is as follows: Suppose the breech to be closed and locked and the gun to befired and it is desired to reload the gun and subsequently fire the same.

The first motion of the breech-block in turning to unlock will cause the breech-block to move slightly to the rear, owing to the pitch this lug H registers with the slot 0', which will only happen when the breech-block is closed and locked. Therefore this lug H has a positive safety action whereby premature discharges are prevented until the breechblock is closed and locked. It will be ebvious that this lug H does not register again with the groove 0 until onthe reverse motion the breech-block is rotated to the closed and locked position. 4

The firing-pin may be said tobe normally at-the position of half-cock (shown in Figs. 1, 4, 11, and 12) and is not cocked until immediately before the gun is fired. This is accomplished by pulling back on the lan- I yard R, which causes'the cocking-toe p to engage under the catch m drawing the firingpin back to the rear, and as soon as it. is drawn sufficiently to the rear this toe 19', following an arch-shaped path, passes from under the catch m", and the firing-pin fiies forward, striking the primer. If the firing-lanyard now be eased up, the parts will return to the initial position, and the firing-pin may be drawn back, as before. In this way, in case of a misfire the first time, a second fire. may be had by simply pulling back on the lanyard without any further manipulation of the parts.

As will be seen, the apparatus is normally in the safety position and is only cocked at' the instant of firing andis then cocked automatically by pulling back on the firing-lanyard.

As an additional safety device, I provide an arm P which registers with the recess 0 in the hinged carrier only when the breech-block is in the closed and locked position. Thus it will be seen that it will be impossible to pull the cocking-leverback far enough to fire the gun, except when This arm P registers with the recess 0 and thereforea second safeguard is provided against premature discharges.

The apparatus shown in Figs. 1 to 9 of the .drawings is specially adapted for breech mechanism of the slotted-screw system, in which the breech-block first rotates for unlocking and then is swung out of the breech by means of apivoted carrier-such, for instance, as is shown in the patent to Tompkins aforesaid or in other well-known slotted screwguns fitted with twomotion breech mechanisms.

In Figs. 10 to 14 I show a firing rneehanism adapted for use with other types of guns in which the block has a locking motion-transverse to the bore-such, for instance, as that shown in the patent to Driggs and Tasker, No. 513,195. these figures differs only-very slightly from that shown in Figs. l-to 10, already referred. to. All of the parts included within the block itself are practically the same, except slot 71, into which projects a guide-pin 'f,' while the shank of thefiring-pin is made somewhat shorter, owing to the fact that there is no hinged carrier in the rear. rear end 74; of the spring K is shown as held between the sleeve] and shoulder on the breech-block, (see Fig. 11;) but this material,

is substantially the equivalent of that shown in Fig. 1. The bayonet-joint connection between the lever P and the pin N is the same as already described and is showu clearly in Fig. 11. The latch M differs slightly from that shown in the other figures in that it. ex tends around the firing-pin and is provided with a stud m, that projects into the curve'd recess p on thefiring-lever P. There is no provision made for the-safety devices secured by the lug H and the arm P in the device shown in the earlier figures; but with guns having sliding blocks the firing-pin does not register with the primer until the block is closed, and therefore the necessity for safety devices is not so important as with slotted screw-blocks, where the firing-pin is brought immediately in the rear of the primer when the block swings into the bore, and the tendency of the inertia of the firing-pin and the parts carried thereby is to move forward and strike the primer unless a positive lock is provided to preventthis until the breechblock is rotated to the locked position.

In the device shown in Figs. 1 to 9 the rearward swing of the firing-lever is limited by' the surface of the recess C and therefore the firing-lever cannot be drawn back far enough in use to have the lugs n pass into the slot 1), thus locking the mechanism or tending to break 0d the said lug, causing the firing-lever and cocking-toe to joint or work loose.

In the device shown in Figs. 10 to 14 the firing-lever is provided with a shoulder P that brings up against the face of the breechblock before the firing-lever has been pulled back too far.

In Figs. 15 and 16 I show a spring-latch M,

.which may be used in place of either of the pivoted latches M or M the said latch M. consisting of a spring secured to the under side of the firing-pin H, as at m, the forward end M of the said spring being bent at right angles to form the catch m against which the point p of the cocking-toe P is arranged to impinge, as in the foregoingforms of this device. The for-wardend M of the latch M is received in a recess H in the firing-pin, which recess is deep enough to allow the spring-catch to bepressed closely against the under side of the firing-pin when the cocking-toe P moves forward, its point p'travel- The firing mechanism shown in Moreover, the

ing'in the arc of a circle indicated by the dotted line a; m, thus-allowing the said point p to'passin front of the catch m. The tendency' of the spring-catch m is to spring away from the firing-pin for a limited distance-Jar -enough to bring the catch 'm behind or in the cpath of the point p of the cocking-toe P. The the firing-pin is shown with a longitudinal-" tward movement of the spring-catch M is edin the form shown in Fig. 15 by-ratchetteethm which'impingeagainst similar teeth h, on the rear-side of the recess H and in the form shown in Fig. 16 by a lug m, which en.. gages a lug h at the rear side of the mouth of the recess H Thus the spring-catch is prevented from springing too far out of the recess or from being pulled out by the friction of the point p as it moves downwardly oif of the catch m as it nears the endof its rearward movement. The operation of the firing mechanism with the spring-latch. being otherwise .the same as in the foregoing instances will not be further described. p v

A special feature of my improved firing mechanism is that the mechanism complete is carried by a sleeve which may beremoved from the block, and thus ate. single operation the entire firing mecha'nism may be taken out and by a like operation a new firing mechanism may be inserted.v While I have shown the threads on the sleeve F as continuous, it

will be obvious that I may make these threads interrupted, so that the said sleeve may be unlocked by a partial turn and then-withdrawn to the rear. In this way the entirefiring mechanism might be removed and a new mechanism inserted in a very brief interval of time. Thisjfeature, however, isrhore important in competitive tests and in drilling than in actual practice.

It is my intention to claim this improved firing mechanism as applied to any type or class of breech-loading gun for which it is suitable or to which it may be applied without the exercise of inventive skill.

It will be obvious that various modifications might be made in the herein-described apparatus which could be used without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having't-hus described my invention,- what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-' 1. A firing mechanism for breech-loading ordnance comprising a firing-pin mounted in the breech-block, a spring secured at one end to the breech-block and at the other to the firing-pin and adapted to withdraw the point of the firing-pin clear of the face of the breechblock, a yielding latch carried by the firingpin, a pivoted cocking-toe engaging said latch and releasing the same when drawn to the rear, and means for drawing said cocking-toe rearward; substantially as described.

2. In breech loading ordnance, a firing mechanism comprising a firing-pin mounted in the breech-block, a spring secured at one end to the breech-block and at the other to the firing-pin and adapted to withdraw the point of the firing-pin clear of the face of the breech-block, a yielding latch carried by the firing-pin, a cocking-toe engaging said latch when drawn to the rear and then passing from under said latch in its further rearward motion, and a firing-lever integral with or rigidly attached to said cocking-toe; substantially as described.

3. In a firing mechanism for use in breechloading ordnance, the combination with a sleeve detachably mounted in the breechblock of the gun, of a firing-pin mounted in said sleeve, a spring secured at one end to the breech-block and at the other to the firing-pin and adapted to withdraw the point of the firing-pin clear of the face of the breech-block, a yielding latch mounted on said firing-pin, and a cocking-toe pivoted on said sleeve and engaging said latch when drawn to the rear and passing out of engagement with said latch near the end of its rearward. motion, with means for moving said cocking-toe rearward, about its pivot, substantially as described. I

4. A firing mechanism for breech-loading ordnance comprising a firing-pin mounted in the breech-block, a spring secured at one end to the breech-block and at the other to the firing-pin and adapted to withdraw the point of the firing-pin clear of the face of the breechblock, a yielding latch carried by the firingpin, a pivoted cocking-toe engaging said latch and releasing the same when drawn to the rear, aspring normally pressing said cockingtoe forward, and means for drawing said cocking-toe rearward against the action of said,

spring; substantially as described.

5. In breech-loading ordnance, a firing mechanism comprising a firing-pin mounted in the breech-block, a spring secured at one end to the breech-block and at the other to the firing-pin and adapted to withdraw the point of the firing-pin clear of the face of the breech-block, a yielding latch carried by the firing-pin, a pivoted cocking-toe engaging said latch when drawn to the rear and then passing from under said latch in its further rearward motion, and a firing-lever integral with or rigidly attached to said cocking-toe; and a spring normally pressing said firing leverand cocking-toe forward; substantially as described.

6. In a firing mechanism for use in breech loading ordnance, the combination with a sleeve detachably mounted in the breechblock of the gun, of a firing-pin mounted in said sleeve, a spring secured at one end'to the breech-block and at the other to the firing-pin' and adapted to withdraw the point of the firingpin clear of the face of the breech-block, a yielding latch mounted on said firing-pin, a cocking-toe pivoted on said sleeve and engaging saidlatch when drawn to the rear and passing out of engagement with said latch near the end of its rearward motion, and a spring normally pressing said firing-lever and cocking-toe forward, with means for moving said cocking-toe rearward, about its pivot, substantially as described.

7. A firing mechanism for breech-loading ordnance comprising a sleeve detachably mounted in the breech-block, a firing-pin sliding in said sleeve and held against rotation therein, a spring secured at one end to the breech-block and at the other to the firing-pin and adapted to withdraw the point of the firing-pin clear of the face of the breech-block, a yielding latch carried by said pin, a pivoted cocking toe engaging said latch and releasing the same when drawn to the rear, a spring normally pressing said cocking-toe forward, and means for drawing said cocking-toe rearward against the action of said spring; substantially as described.

8. In breech loading ordnance, a firing mechanism comprising a sleeve detachably mounted in the breech-block, a firing-pin sliding in said sleeve and held against rotation therein, a spring secured at one end to the breech-block and at the other to the firingpin and adapted to withdraw the point of the firing-pin clear of the face of the breech-block, a yielding latch carried thereby, a cockingtoe engaging said latch when drawn to the rear and then passing from under said latch in its further rearward motion, a firing-lever integral with or rigidly attached to said cocking-toe, and a spring normally pressing said cocking toe forward; substantially as described.

9. In a firing mechanism for use in breechloading ordnance, the combination with a sleeve detachably mounted in .the breechblock of the gun, and provided with a rearwardly-projecting arm, of a firing-pin mounted to slide in said sleeve, but held against rotation therein, a spring secured at one end tot-he breech-block and at the other to the fir- .ing-pin and adapted to withdraw the point of the firing-pin clear of the face of the breechblock, a yielding latch mounted on said firingpin, a cocking-toe pivoted on said arm of said sleeve and engaging said latch when drawn to the-rear and'passing out of engagement with said latch near the end of its rearward motion, and a spring normally pressing said firing-lever and cocking-toe forward, with means for moving said cocking-toe rearward,

about its pivot, substantially as described. 1 10; In a breech-loading gun, the combination with a sleeve adapted to be screwed into the breech-block, a spring-stop adapted to project into a recess partly in said breechblock and partly in said sleeve, and firing mechanism carried by said sleeve, and removable therewith from the gun, substantially as described.

11. In a breech-loading gun, the combina tion with a sleeve adapted to be screwed into the breech-block, of a spring S secured to said sleeve, a roughened-headed stop S secured to the end of said spring and adapted to project into a recess partly in said breech-block and partly in said sleeve, and firing mechanism carried by said sieeve and removable therewith from the gun, substantially as described.

12. In a slotted-screw,breech-loading gun, the combination with the breech-block and hinged carrier-plate projecting in rear of and covering therear end of the breech-block, and

being provided with. a narrow recess inits front face, of afiring-lever pivoted. on said breech-block, and having a rearwardly projecting arm registering with said narrowre cess in the carrier only whenjthebreech-block is rotated to the locked position substantiallyprojecting arm said lever and said arm registering with said narrow recess only when the breech-block is rotated to the locked position substantially as and for the purposes d scribed.

14- A firing mechanism for breech-loading ordnance, comprising afiring-pin mountedin' I the breech-mocha springsecured at one end to the'breechrblockand at the other to the firing-pin and normally withdrawing the'point of the firing-pin clear of the face of the breechblock, and means'fo'r cooking and for releas ing said firing-pin, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof Iaffix mysignature 1n presence of two witnesses.

LOUIS L. BRIGGS,

Witnesses:

ALBERT W. HOWE, L. J. ELIOT, 

